Minerva Pure GOLD COLLAGEN

Have you seen The Minerva PURE GOLD COLLAGEN product in store or advertised online? Well I have been trialing it for 30 days and am here to give my honest opinion.

The Pure Gold Collagen is an 'anti-ageing' drink that contains a daily dose of collagen,protein and a number of vitamins in a 50ml syrupy drink.
The manufacturers claim that Clinical studies* have shown that daily intake of this Peptan hydrolysed collagen can increase hydration in the skin and even out wrinkles in 12 weeks.
I have drunk one bottle of chilled Gold Collagen every morning for 30 days before breakfast. With the promise of an improvement of skin elasticity and firmness speeding me on.

The product comes in boxes of 10 bottles (10 days supply) which costs £35.99 at Boots Here . So for a months supply you are looking at £107.97!!

The drink tastes sweet with a kick of pepper-which is slightly odd but not unpalatable, I did find however that my morning coffee then had an odd peppery taste to it too! It is only two mouthfuls of liquid if you don't sip it-I've shown the quantity in a large wine glass above.

So after 30 days I can report that sadly I have noticed no change in my wrinkles, skin elasticity or suppleness however I have very strong healthy fingernails!!
My fingernails are notoriously weak-inherited from my Mother, yet all of a sudden they are growing and not flaking or breaking.
In conclusion, I have only taken the Gold Collagen for 30 days and not the recommended 12 weeks, so perhaps I have not taken it for long enough but frankly the cost of the product puts me off especially as the results (if any) will not be long term. Its too expensive for me just to gain strong fingernails.

If you have had any experience of this product please do leave me a comment, we are all here to keep each other informed x

Love Lila x

She Said July Beauty Box

 I recently subscribed to She Said Monthly Beauty Boxes, after having read about them on their website, I thought I'd give them a go.
As a monthly subscriber I pay £9.00 per month plus £2.95 P&P by direct debit and receive a beauty box of  5 samples from top brands, I can cancel my subscription at any time so thought why not try them out.
 Julys' box is my second from She Said and I am really rather impressed with it as I was with Junes' box, so I thought I'd share with you.
 Here is what I received...It all comes packaged in a light blue box, with straw padding, tissue paper and a pink ribbon, So a little present to unwrap every month.....Lovely.

First up I have The Stylefile or S-File,designed by The Apprentice winner Tom Pellereau, an S-shaped nail file which makes it easier to file your nails as the S follows the natural contour of the nails, I was going to buy one of these as I have massive issues with my nails flaking and breaking and was so pleased to see it in my box this morning!! RRP for this is £4.49 and you can find out more about it Here

Next out, I have A set of stainless steel eyelash curlers from The Vintage Cosmetics company-excellent as I didn't actually own a set, so will have fun trying these out on my Less than full curvy lashes! RRP is £7.00.

The next product is a full size Bronzer & Blusher Blend from Miners, which is a a tonal mix of brown and pink designed to give a sunblushed glow to the skin, again a great size which I look forward to trying.RRP £4.99

And last but not least I have a 30ml tube of Murad Time Release Acne Cleanser and a 1.2 ml sachet of Freeze 24*7 Ice Crystals.

The Murad cleanser is an Anti-Aging Acne cleanser designed to both fight wrinkles and reduce blemishes-interesting, although I don't often suffer with spots,I do love to try new products, so will give it a go.RRP £5.50 for 30ml.

The Freeze 24*7 Ice Crystals is an Anti-Aging exfoliant prep and polish cleanser and I think there is enough in the sample for just one application.RRP £35.00 for 70g.

So, all in all I am very pleased with my July box from She Said Beauty, the products that I've received are all of interest/use to me. Its a great way of sampling products and with this months box containing @ £22.00 worth of goodies its a bargain to boot!!

You can find out more about She Said Beauty Boxes and the different subscription options that they offer, including a gift subscription, Here.

Lila xx

Cashmere Pashmina at CatWalk Glamour

As all us ladies know a pashmina is an invaluable accessory, especially in our uncertain British summers weather! I have several which I use as a shawl or scarf in a variety of colours, they are perfect over a strappy dress or top when out for the evening, I love them.
 I am going to be posting shortly about Catwalk Glamour, an up and coming company who sell delightful accessories and jewellery. And Cashmere Pashminas...... Gorgeous!

You can check out their website Here and I will be back shortly with a review x

Suti Organic Holistic Skincare-Review

I simply had to write a review about a product that I have been using for the last five days.
It is from Suti Skincare, a new british, organic skincare company that uses pure and wholly natural ingredients in their products.

The small range of skincare products from Suti use vitamin rich natural oils and natural flower essences and embrace homeopathy and aromatherapy. Without harsh chemicals, the products are both safe to use and luxurious.

With ingredients such as Argan Oil, Neroli and Rosehip seed oil amongst many other delights, this brand is really worth checking out.

I have been using The Suti Cleanse,an organic facial cleanser(pictured above) and I literally want to rave about it!
 The Cleanse comes in a 50ml glass pot with chrome lid. A muslin cloth and small spatula accompany it.
 Upon opening the pot you are greeted with the most fabulous scent, it smells delicious.

Using the spatula you take a small amount of the Cleanse and apply it to the fingertips and then massage onto damp skin, the Cleanse thins out to an oil as you gently rub it into your skin and tiny grains of unrefined shea butter melt on contact. You then wet your muslin cloth with hand-hot water, wring and gently rub the skin in circular motions to remove make-up and build up of grime.You repeat this 2 or 3 times and are left with skin that feels SO SOFT and smelling gorgeous.

You can also use the Cleanse as you would a face mask while relaxing in the bath  and again removing with the muslin cloth.

The first time I used the Cleanse, I scooped out far too much as I thought 'well, that little bit won't go far' but, it does because it melts to oil, so I wasted some, which made me cross!
After using my skin feels soft and clean and its been a long time since I have been so delighted by a cleanser! It is a luxurious product which is a delight to use and feels very much like a treat rather than a chore. The fragrance is relaxing and wholesome and not in the least bit over-powering. I am a fan of facial oils but have not used an oil cleanser before, I am fully converted. The skin is not left feeling oily or greasy at all just beautifully clean.

The ingredients contained are :-

 Vitellaria Niloteca (Shea Butter)*, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Seed Butter, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil*, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil*, Cera Alba (Beeswax)*, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter*, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil*, Limonene**, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract*, Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Oil*, Citrus Reticula (Mandarin) Oil*, Tocopherol, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil*, Pelargonium Graveolens (Geranium)Flower Oil*, Linalool**, Geraniol**, Citronellol**

* Certified Organic    ** Naturally occurring in essential oils

The Suti Range consists of Cleanse, Purity-An organic Moisturising Balm, two different facial toners, two different facial oils and an organic foot balm.


A full list of all of the organic ingredients can be found on the Suti Skincare website Here
The Cleanse Organic Cleanser is priced at £26.00 for 50ml with a free muslin cloth and can be found Here
Given that the ingredients are all natural and organic and the pot is going to last for ages I think this is extremely reasonable and I am off to recommend this product to anyone who will listen-Truly Fabulous!

Love Lila x


**Product was sent as a sample to review but all opinions are honest and My Own.

Banks and River Banks

Hi all, I'm here to have a moan/rant about my dreadful weekend!

It all started on a cold and wet saturday morning in late June.

Now, Cornwall is a very beautiful place to live in and far prettier than South East London from whence I hail, but, by golly its been bleak this last few months as rain, rain and more rain has beaten us all into submission and moreover the greyness which brings in itself a feeling of impending doom as each day of non-summer marches forward.

So, I've set my rather glum mood for saturday morning and what delights await me? Why the weekly shopping trip of course, time to go and battle with the hoards around Big Tescos.
 So off we trot, Mr Glam and I with my mood sitting like an extra passenger in the car.

I live in a small village so we have to drive 15 miles to Big Tescos and by the time we get there I'm realising that I should have eaten breakfast before we left as I don't do well without food, I'm sensitive to changes in my sugar levels and I'm now feeling very cross.
 And we hit Tescos along with the entire population of Cornwall it seemed. So I dodge the 'slow' trolley pushers, the 'screaming toddler' trolley pushers, the 'stop in the middle of the isle and stare aimlessly' (non) trolley pushers and the 'speeding around because they hate supermarkets as much as me' trolley pushers and I get crosser and crosser.

I get in the car clutching a sausage roll (which I detest) because it was the only thing I could think of to eat quickly and stuff my face hoping that my sugar levels would rise quickly-Why didn't I choose a banana or something equally as good for me?

Mr Glam starts the car, I start a panic attack-Woohoo marvellous, just what I need. So I breathe/ not-breathe and sweat all the way home.

We get home laden with mismatched food items bought in a hurry and without thought and struggle into the house. The phone is ringing....quick quick quick.

Nope,didn't get to it in time but they've left a message, its my bank-'please can you phone us urgently regarding possible fraud on your account'....WHAAAAT??

 So Yes, an hour later, after a very long call to a very helpful lady, I'm a lot poorer as my bank account has been rinsed by an unknown cyber thief in a faraway land. Yes, I will get my money bank but I was cross/anxious/glum before I got this new!

 #!***%#'s

 I make a coffee and stare somewhat bleakly at the wall and out of the corner of my eye I see movement near the corner....got up to investigate and find we have new tenants-a plague of ANTS!

What next? Locusts? Frogs?  I haven't got any people to set free!!

 After dealing with a million little 'guests' for a veeery long time, I think I'll bake a cake, lovely, a nice bit of comfort food, a yummy whole orange cake.

And YES, once the whole cake mix was in the tin and I was bending down to pop it into the oven, I DID drop the tin and the tin DID land upside down and the cake mix WAS all over the floor..........

Sunday, wasn't quite as bad- The rain was chronic in the morning but had cleared up by 11.30 so Mr Glam and I headed off out with our two dogs, down to the river, it was beautiful, there was nobody around, the dogs swam-Oh how great to be alive.......As we were walking back and a large group of people were walking down the other side of the river, my oldest dog leapt in to splash around but, couldn't manage the steep bank to get back out....the other people stopped to watch and say Aaaah etc.

So I bend down at the edge of the river bank to help haul out Frank, the six stone German Shepherd....The river bank crumbles where I'm stood and I go sliding unceremoniously down the muddy bank and into the river!!! Frank hops out on his own leaving me sat up to my waist in the river, with a very red face. I had mud and stones inside my jeans and knickers and walked home feeling suitably stupid with a very sore bottom.

 Of course, England losing against Italy in the European Cup football ended my weekend in suitable style.

 It all glamour here..........

 Rant over. The End.

 Lila x

Philips ReAura-Continued Use-Forehead Results

Hi all, As you know, I have been using the Philips ReAura Laser Treatment system since November 2011 and its the product that started my interest in blogging.
 I used the ReAura for 12 weeks and have posted my results here on glamplusforty.
 I have of course continued to use the ReAura after having had a two week break and am back with another results photo. I think that the ReAura is continuing to work and hopefully you will be able to see that by these photos.
 My forehead, which in the 'before' pic taken 21/11/2011 was quite lined and my 'elevens' were quite deep. These pics show the difference from then to today.

before 21/11/2011

And taken today-about 20mins ago

17/06/2012

The lighting is different and I apologise for that, but I think you can see even with my little point and snap camera that my 'elevens' have diminished massively! There was no flash used in either photograph and it was difficult tearing Mr Glam away from the football for any longer than 5 minutes-but hopefully you too can see how the ReAura is doing for me.

Let me know what you think x

 If you would like to find out more about the Philips ReAura go Here

 The ReAura is available to buy in the UK at SpakeNK Here

Lila x

** I am not affiliated to any companies mentioned and all views are entirely my own.

Sudden Menopause and Beauty?

A year ago, at age 41 I had a full hysterectomy because of extensive endometriosis and adenomyosis.
 Long story short, it was a long operation, the external scarring was minimal,the internal scarring was horrendous and it took months before I started to get my energy back.
What I did notice, very quickly after my op was that my skin, hair and nails totally changed, literally overnight.
 I felt like I'd gotten old, shrivelled up and dried out within a week! It has been a bit of a trial this past year to redefine my product usage to ones that will suit my 'without ovaries' state...after all I had spent all my adult life benefiting from oestrogen without even appreciating it!
 The loss of oestrogen causes changes in collagen production which can cause skin to become drier, thinner and less elastic. My hair is dry and has started to fall out in what feels like clumps and my nails are brittle and dry.
Now I've painted this very attractive picture of myself, what can be done?
 At 42, I am far too young to be putting up with this aging!!!
 My skin has benefitted hugely from the Philips ReAura which is the product that really got me into blogging, as it helps to kickstart the skin into producing collagen, which I desperately needed.
But my hair is still getting thinner daily and my nails are bloody awful-so I'm on the look out for things to help me regain my youthfulness :)
Has anyone got any tips to help me with my vanity? I would appreciate it.
Love Lila x

My Summer Goodies So Far

Well, so far the Great British Summer is proving to be a complete washout and as such I declared recently that I wasn't buying any summer clothes or sandals as I have loads that hardly ever see the light of day....however, as per usual I haven't been able to resist :)

 The sandals above are from Marks & Spencers and were a birthday gift, which I am delighted with, they are pink leather with a gold chain detail that look so cute on. And they will go to replace my pink Hobbs Sandals that have seen better days.....they are £19.50 and can be found Here.
 A recent trip to NEXT saw me swan out with this lovely bag...or should I say 'flamingo' out...

Which will go with the sandals beautifully I think.Its a big bag and is ideal for the beach as well as shopping, I could probably fit a small child in it, if I had one :). The bag was £28.00 and can be found Here

    I also bought this white embroidered tee shirt, which when worn with my white linen trousers or skinny jeans,I think looks quite good.
 Nice for daywear and not a major splurge...for once! Also not overly summery so that I will regret the purchases after another wet and cloudy summer! I have strappy tops coming out of my eyes and they Never get worn...Boo to the weather!!!
You can find the top Here again at NEXT and it was £22.00. The scarf is detachable and more pinky than in this picture.

Angel Face 100% Natural Mineral Make-Up

 I was delighted to be sent some products from the lovely folk at Angel Face, a pure mineral make-up company from Cornwall. Their products contain 100% pure minerals, so no talcs, fillers or parabens.
The make-up also contains an SPF 15 with added allantoin so is compatible with problem skins.
They have a full range of make-up, brushes and a range of organic skincare.
I have been using the mineral foundation, blusher and bronzer for a week and can honestly state that they are fabulous products.
The quality is superb, they are light on the skin and I haven't found any pore clogging. This really is a high end make-up brand.
I have found the foundation easy to apply and build up gradually on the skin and the bronzer gives a really natural sunkissed glow to my skin. I am quite fair and often find bronzers are too orangey for me, the Angel Face one gives me a lovely healthy glow.
The website also has helpful videos as to how to apply mineral make-up.
The standard sized foundation is priced at £12.00 which is amazing for natural make-up and can be found   Here and if your not sure of your colour match, you can buy sample sets which include a mini kabuki brush!

 This is Angel Face organic moisturing face cream with mandarin oil-It is Fabulous!!
 It smells good enough to eat and contains all natural oils such as Vitamin E and Rose Hip Seed Oils and Shea Butter amongst other yummy ingredients. A tiny bit goes a very long way, its a thick luxurious cream rich in anti-oxidants. I love this and will be stocking up on all of these products as soon as I run out.
At a cost of £15.00 for 60ml, this pot will last for ages and can be found Here.
A useful tip from Angel Face is that you could mix a bit of foundation with the cream to make a tinted moisturiser, I shall be trying that out soon.

Love Lila x

Le Belle Skincare-Eye Serum with Q10

 I have been using this lovely eye serum from Le Belle Skincare for around 4 weeks now.
 I love that this company is using all natural ingredients and plant extracts and use all recyclable packaging.
 The serum comes in a small 10ml glass bottle with a roller-ball applicator. It contains co-enzyme Q10 and Argan oil,rosehip seed oil and calendula oil, amongst other oils and claims to hydrate the eye area and help reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
 The product is lovely, you only need a very small amount under each eye and then blend softly with your finger to warm the oil and smooth into skin.
 It does leave the skin around the eye feeling soft and hydrated,smells gorgeous and is not in the least bit  greasy.
 You can find out more about it Here. Its priced at £21.00 and I believe will last for a very long time as I've barely made an inroad into mine after a month.
 Le Belle also have a refill option on many of their products, so to avoid environmental waste you buy a refill and fill up your glass bottle when empty.
 Their philosophy which can be seen Here  is one I wish more companies would adopt.
Lila x

Bust PhytoSerum By Talika-Myth or Miracle?

 I was sent the new Talika Bust Phytoserum to try six weeks ago. Talika claim that the serum will increase volume in the bust so much so that one cup size will be gained in just six weeks.
Also that by applying the serum every day, the breasts will be lifted and firmed.
Derived from Ayurvedic medicine and containing hyaluronic acid, the serum comes in a blue 50ml pump bottle and costs £35.
So, I have duly applied the white serum to my breasts in a figure of eight motion every evening after showering.
The serum has quite a strong chemically smell and leaves the skin tingling and a bit hot.The smell lasts on the skin until it is showered off again and is rather unpleasant.
 After my full six weeks of application, I can report that my breasts are exactly the same as when I started!! No difference is evident whatsoever. No more firmness or volume.
  I personally don't worry about my breasts much, they aren't bad for my age and of an average size but for anyone who feels that they might benefit from a product such as this, it didn't work on me.
You can find out more about this product Here.
Love Lila x

Philips ReAura Review- Previously Unseen Before & After Photo

Hi all, I have popped back to publish a previously unseen photograph of the results that I have had from my ReAura treatments. I have been receiving a steady amount of emails in regard to the ReAura and thought that these pics may be of interest.
 I took the before picture back on 21/11/2011 before starting the ReAura treatments, alongside the pics that I have already shared....however,it is SO HIDEOUS that I couldn't bring myself to post it online with the other ones........but I took an after photograph on 13/02/2012 after 12 weeks and can't believe the difference.
 I have kept these to myself as really,it is a bit weird putting photos of my face in all its naked glory (so to speak) on the internet-but, I do feel that these two show how much plumper and elastic my skin is now, how the collagen has plumped my skin out again-its quite amazing.

 Now,the pics are of me smiling,from the side. The first pics is a bit blurred (which in one sense is a good thing,but I apologise for that) however you can still see how old and untoned my face is.

The second photo (after 12 weeks taken 13/02/2012) shows the difference is incredible. I have a jaw line again and no longer have such a bad eye bag!!!
My face has been lifted up and plumped out.
The results that I have had from using the Philips ReAura have been remarkable and I am nervous about posting this set of pics as I do look so awful but, if it helps you make a decision or helps you to see that your skin is nowhere near as bad as mine, or indeed gives you a good laugh then heyho....

I have been asked if I have had botox or fillers since starting the ReAura treatment-No I definitely haven't and have to say I still wouldn't for a myriad of reasons. Anyhoo, I don't think I need to now I have my ReAura!!!

I hope this set of pics are useful to someone, I'm not sure how long I will leave them up for as it does feel odd having such horrendous photos of myself on the internet-Let me know if you have any feedback or questions-
Love Lila xx
For further info on the Philips ReAura go Here
To buy the ReAura go Here to SpaceNK

Philips ReAura Review Final Post-After 12 Weeks !!!!

Good evening my lovelies, I am here to bring you the results of my ReAura Treatments after 12 weeks!
 It seems like so much longer than twelve weeks ago that I started recording my experience with the ReAura and I must admit that I've rather enjoyed it, once I'd gotten over myself in regard to the photos of my skin before I started my treatments-they still make me cringe, who in their right mind puts zoomed in photos of their face on the internet??
  Only a fool.
  I am that fool .........but, huge sigh of relief that the photos I have had taken today show a hugely improved fool!
 Thank goodness for that, otherwise I'd be here 12 weeks later, posting a set of equally hideous photos and resigning myself to a future spent wearing a bag on my head!! Feeling proper stupid....

 As it is, if my foolhardiness has helped anyone of you make a decision about the ReAura or information about what one can expect from using it, then I'm glad to have been able to provide that information :)

I have now completed 20 treatments to my face with the Philips ReAura and have before and after photos for you- at a price of nearly £800, the ReAura is a big investment to make in a skincare product. This is one skincare product however, that for me, has worked.

Before 21/11/2011

After 13/02/2012

I have now been trying to upload photos onto my blog for a whole hour and have only managed to  get these two on!!! Very frustrating.....So I have added them to this page HERE  on my blog. I will try again tomorrow to add the rest of the pics as blogger is not working tonight!!!
 Apologies for that,let me know what you think of the pics i have managed to post-Love Lila xx

Philips ReAura Review Ten Weeks Update

Hi all, firstly may I apologise for my absence online for the past two weeks, I have had a few personal crises to deal with, which have massively gotten in the way of Everything Else!!
 Anyhoo, I am back to update on my ReAura usage, a little bashed from some of lifes surprises but hey ho!

 Now, here's the thing, When I first came across the Philips ReAura and read about it and its benefits etc. I saw on the Philips ReAura website that the results photographs posted by Philips were after 12 weeks of home use by 64 users, also the results photos in my ReAura instruction manual are also after 12 weeks so I assumed that the treatment plan for one area was 12 weeks.......
 This information was my assumption when I started to write this blog, however I was wrong in this as each treatment plan for each area is in fact 8 WEEKS at two treatments per week.
 I called the ReAura support team ( who are ever so helpful and friendly) and they confirmed to me that Philips recommend that the ReAura be used for 8 weeks at 2 treatments per week,per area (ie face,neck, decollete, hands or arms) You can then have a break from the ReAura for a week or two, to give the skin a rest, before resuming with treatments.
  You can resume to another 8 weeks schedule at two treatments per week or one treatment per week, or top up as you feel necessary......Just as long as you don't use the ReAura any more than twice a week on any one area and you do give your skin a break.

 So, I completed 8 weeks of treatments to my face and have had a 2 week break. I have started treating my neck in that two weeks.
 On tuesday of this week (31st Jan 2012) I resumed treating my face and will be posting my final after pictures at the end of next week. I began this blog saying that I would post my results pictures after 12 weeks and am going to stick to that.
 I am actually really pleased that I can use the ReAura on my face so regularly as I feel that it will be marvellous at preventing signs of aging re-appearing as well as all the repairing benefits it has already given me.
 I missed using it during my break and did find that my t-zone got slightly greasy again after the first week of non-use!
 Anyhoo, I thought I'd share another set of before and after pictures taken 6 weeks apart, as you may have already read in my previous posts, I went a bit bonkers (to put it mildly) at week 6 of my ReAura treatments and took a silly amount of photos (well, asked my husband to take them) and studied them intensely- obsessive or what!?!
 These are of my forehead, frown lines and 'elevens' lines. I think the noticable changes after 6 weeks is again in my skin tone, its not as shiny and discoloured, I also think that the smaller or my 'elevens' lines (the ones between my brow) has gotten a bit smaller. Again, I've done my best with my limited camera to show the difference.                Before

Taken 21/11/11

                                After 6 weeks

Taken 03/01/12 

  Yet more very unattractive photos of me......Ha! And Yes, My eyebrows needed doing :-).....but can you see the difference??
 Thank you for all your previous comments and do let me know what you think or how you are getting on with your ReAuras. I will be photographing my final Face next weekend.
Take care, Love Lila xx

See My YouTube ReAura Video HERE
The Philips ReAura can be bought at SpaceNK.com HERE
The Philips ReAura Website isHERE

Philips ReAura Review Skin Update after 8 weeks

Hi again its sunday,a chilling out lazy sunday and I just wanted to add a few bits of info on about my ReAura treatments and the effects on my skin.I have also taken one photo today (after 8 weeks of use)of my lip lines and zoomed it in to pop on here.
 My lip lines were REALLY bad after years of smoking but, there has been a change in them which I will try to show here.
 Its actually not that easy to get photos that show as much difference as I see as I only have a 14MP digital camera,a run of the mill quick capture one-nothing fancy,but I've done my best.
 Before I put those pics (before/after) on I will just run through a few bits of info that someone may find useful that I've found since beginning my ReAura treatments.

 Firstly,since I can remember, since my teens, I have always woken up in the morning with a greasy shiny nose and forehead,regardless of what I've been using on my skin, how long I've slept for, what was going on in my life...basically ALWAYS the same thing, greasy,oily T-Zone every single day.You know,where if you wipe your finger down the side of your nose you can feel the grease....?
 Since the very first ReAura treatment I have NOT had this! My skin is the same on my T-Zone as it is on my cheeks-Dry.
 Not dry in the sense that it is flaky or anything, dry as in Normal and not greasy or shiny and no grease or oil when I touch it!
 Its been a bit weird to be honest, because i've always had it, to not have it any more.
 Weird in a good way though :) as my skin is obviously not over-producing oil as I sleep (or during the day) so my pores are not constantly blocked.
 Which leads me on to my next bit of info, which is the one, out of all of the benefits of the ReAura so far is the one thats made me happiest.
 About 5 years ago I started to get bumps under my skin on both cheeks, blocked pores, all over my cheeks but mainly condensed on my upper cheek bones. They looked horrible, my face looked lumpy and bumpy and I was told by two beauticians that some were milia.
 I have constantly battled with these lumps and used a host of exfoliators,cleansers and steamers as well as the Oil Cleansing Method and of course some squeezing (not good I know) and nothing has shifted them.
 Last year I developed another big patch nearer to my nose on my left cheek.These blighters really got me down, my face always looked uneven and my skin (in my head) looked ugly, covered with make-up it looked worse in some ways.
 I honestly despaired of ever getting rid of them, hormonal changes had a lot to blame too and my mother had them throughout her forties.
 But, again since using the ReAura these bumps have nearly all gone, running my fingertips lightly over my face I can only feel a few, that's gone from my cheeks being completely covered to next to nothing.
 I am so happy about this,I can't tell you how over the moon I am.
  It is my understanding that the ReAura is causing the skin to renew at a faster rate, like it did when I was younger, so the dead skin cells that we all have are being shifted at a faster rate, not giving them time to clog up my pores and cause lumps and bumps,please correct me if I'm wrong on that.
 Just one more thing, I was asked by someone who has been following my progress here, if I waxed my upper lip and eyebrows as she was aware of some people having had bad experiences of people having had fraxel treatment having skin torn as a result of then waxing.
 I do wax usually, but, I would NO WAY want to wax my face whilst using the ReAura, as while my skin isn't sore or delicate, it does feel very 'new' and soft. I wouldn't want to use anything harsh on my skin at all right now in fact.
 The lady who emailed me suggested that threading would possibly be better, I agree, but I had already used a hair removal cream (Boots Own) for my upper lip and have plucked my stray eyebrows.All without consequence.
 I thought this info was helpful, so thank you S for emailing it to me.
 Right,I have wittered on again,so without further ado here are the aforementioned photos.
 1st one is the before pic zoomed in....taken 21/11/11

 And here is the photo taken this morning 15/01/12 after 8 weeks of ReAura treatments (16 treatments)

 I can see the differences in the mirror, can you see them?
 Let me know and please get in touch if there is anything I've not been very good at explaining :)
 Love Lila xx
To find out more about The Philips ReAura go Here
To buy from SpaceNK go Here

ReAura Review Six Week Results-Part Three

|Hi All,
  I am now in my Eighth week of my Philips ReAura treatments and I can't begin to describe how happy i am with my skin!! As you have seen in my last two posts,my skintone has dramatically changed for the better and it keeps on getting better with every treatment!
  My skin looks plumper now than it has looked in years (I actually can't remember my skin being this good-I know it was once,but,can't quite put my finger on what age i was then,it was that long ago)-Does anyone else ever feel like this...or is it just me?-Anyhoo, I digress-I'm here today as I have had a couple of requests for photos of my around the mouth area and queries of any changes due to the ReAura treatments.
 Now,on 3rd Jan 2012 I took several photos of my face as I had completed six weeks treatments,then I'm ashamed to say and You will laugh,I went bonkers and took photos (well got my weary husband to do them) on the 5th Jan,7th Jan AND 8th Jan!!!!!
 I became completely obsessed for a few days zooming in and out of photos of my ugly mug in every position possible and every light possible bar ultraviolet ;) to note every detail of change that I possibly could-I went mad!! Not for the first time obviously, I've always teetered on the insanely neurotic!!
 I believe i did this because I refused to believe my own eyes with the pics taken on 3rd Jan and was convinced that I couldn't be right,so subjected myself to a full on photographic inquisition.
 Not normal I know and seemingly extremely vain,which can't be a good characteristic to admit to!?!
 I'm ashamed...........
 But,what that did provide me with was more photos to show You, which might redeem my vanity a tiny bit as I am going to share the pics of my mouth area after six weeks....Hurray more photos of me without make-up.....Great. ( Please feel the heavy sarcasm and huge sigh of resignation due to the fact I know that I started this 'great experiment' and I can blame nobody but myself for my foolishness)

 Right, So, The first pic is my original Lip Lines Pic which was taken on 21/11/2011

The next pic (2) was taken on 03/01/2012 after 12 treatments (6weeks) 

Pic 2

And comparison pics from the sides........3rd pic is the Left side original (21/11/11)

3rd Pic

And the 4th pic was taken 08/01/2012....Told you i went mad :-) 

5th Pic

And finally,the Right side of my face taken 21/11/11....

And the Right side taken 08/01/12.....

 Now,Please bear in mind that these pics were taken after 12 & 13 treatments OR 6 weeks,which is effectively half way through the 12 week treatment plan that I am doing. 

 As Philips state Here that independent dermatologists recorded that the ReAura used by 64 home users found that:-

 81% reported-Reduction in fine lines

 83%-Evens skin tone

 86%-Smooths skin texture

So,I'm going to wait the full 12 weeks before taking the final results pictures.As the results shown on the Philips website show results after 12 weeks-I will do the same thing.
But, I will say that my skin looks and feels fantastic and I'm hoping for even more change (thinking there already has been more change but daren't take more pics yet!!!)-Its incredible how quickly I've seen and felt a difference actually.

Its a shame that I can't post zoomed in photos of particular wrinkles or marks,but they probably wouldn't make much sense to anyone but me......hmmmmmmmm.......I hope that this has been of use to you today,I must away now and make Broccoli & Stilton soup for my long suffering hubby

To find out more about the ReAura visit Philips Here
To buy the ReAura from SpaceNK go Here
Love Lila xx

Philips ReAura Results After Six Weeks-Part Two

Good evening and thank you so much to all of you who have contacted me today to let me know that you are following this blog about my use of the Philips ReAura and its effects.
 I have been deeply heartened that there are so many of you that are finding it of interest and that you would like to see more pictures-So,I have another photo for you of my results after just six weeks of use (or 12 treatments) to my face.Again the new  photo was taken yesterday morning,in broad daylight by a frighteningly close to my face camera!!! My husband is a star ;-). Again it was taken without make-up and at as similar an angle as possible to the 'Before' photo which was taken on 21/11/11. (I must be stark raving bonkers to do this!!!)
 Let me know what you think........

First photo is the before photo of my awful left cheek,worst part of my face for discolouration,note the patch of discolouration which I have circled (badly I admit,but trying to show you) and also note the circled jowl around my mouth-Very Unpleasant and I apologise if you have just eaten!

Okay,I now present to you my new left cheek.....tadadadadatataaaaa...........

 Its AMAZING!!! It doesn't even look like the same cheek!! And it is,its my cheek and its a squillion times better!!!!! My jowly thing is nowhere near as jowly....Don't you think? And my skintone is completely different,the discolouration has diminished dramatically and the lines have reduced!!!!! I am quite blown away by the changes and its only been six weeks-Given that the starting block that was my skin before-I think the difference is dramatic-What do you think? Am I exaggerating this here and fooling myself?!?
I'm now off to do my thirteenth treatment of the ReAura,I hope I have been of use.
Love Lila x

To find out more about the ReAura visit Philips Here
To buy the ReAura visit SpaceNK Here

Philips ReAura Results After Six Weeks

Hi All, Happy New Year to you all!!
I'm here to update you on my ReAura progress after having completed six weeks worth of treatments ie 12  and I have some photographs of how my skin is doing and I have to say that its VERY EXCITING!!!!

Without further ado I have a picture of the left side of my forehead....here is the before picture (note the large age spot,the large scar and the dreadful discolouration).Taken 21/11/2011

  Okay Drum Roll Please,here is the same area taken today 02/01/2012 in daylight,in front of a window,in as similar circumstances as possible to the photo above and of course without make-up.....

WOOHOOOOO!! I can't believe it,honestly in only six weeks,look at the difference in my skin!!! It is flippin' amazing....The age spot has nearly disappeared,the discolouration has faded dramatically and can you see the scar??? It is just about visible,but only if you look really hard.The lines to the corner of my eye are definitely not as pronounced and my skin tone is a million times better,its now fresher and i think is glowing,its certainly not shiny and unhealthy looking as before!!
WoooooHoooooooo again!!!
 My skin also feels fabulous,softer and smoother than it has done in years!!
 I have more photos taken today,really because I wanted to see what differences were really taking place by comparing some from today from the ones taken in November....If you would like to see another comparison picture please post a comment under this post as I'm still not receiving much feedback from my little experiment and would appreciate knowing if anyone is finding this useful???

The Philips ReAura can be bought at SpaceNK.com HERE
The Philips ReAura Website is HERE
My YouTube Video on ReAura is HERE

Thank you my lovelies and Happy 2012 to one and all Lila xx

Philips ReAura Week Four

Hi Guys,
Firstly may I apologise for the lack of updates since my video,I have had the most horrible flu bug and have been shattered.I have however,still been keeping up with my ReAura Treatment....which felt like madness when my head felt like it was full of cotton wool and a heavy rock band all at the same time!!
Secondly,May I thank those lovely ladies who have contacted me regarding my ReAura updates,I am just so pleased that they are of use to you and that this little venture is proving to be worthwhile.
Right,now the important stuff.....after making my YouTube video I decided that it was time to move up to Level 3 on the ReAura,which is the highest level of treatment.I was dealing with Level 2 without any problems at all,so definitely felt ready to go up a notch.
 So,on my fifth treatment ( remember,the ReAura is to be used twice a week for 12 weeks on the area needing treatment) so my fifth treatment was in my 3rd week,I popped the ReAura onto Level 3.

 The laser is obviously stronger on Level 3,so is hotter and tinglier (is tinglier a word??-I'm gonna use it anyway :-)! ) and using the ReAura felt like when I used it the first time on Level 2.Some areas of my face,especially my upper lip was a tiny bit painful with the first set of strokes,but as before got easier to bear as treatment progressed.After treatment,My face stayed red & Hot for around 3 hours-again,similar to when I first started using the ReAura.
 The following day,I had a definite red patch over one of my (deeply etched) laughter lines and another huge spot developed near my nose.....I had one on my head come up at the beginning of my treatment too!!
 The red patch faded within 48 hours and the spot within 72 and I have had no more problems as I have completed treatment 6,7 & 8.
 Again,the more you use ReAura,the easier it becomes.
 I have noticed that my skin is drier on Level 3 than Level 2,but not flaky dry.
 But,the best bit of news I have is that my husband has noticed a change in me!!
 He said to me today,after I mentioned that I must update my blog about the ReAura.......wait for it......He said ' Do you know,I think that laser thing your'e doing must be working'-I said 'Really why?' and this is the important bit,for my old man is as myopic as most men when it comes to these things.....He said ' Well,I've noticed it a couple of times and I haven't been able to put my finger on it,but,You look different'.
 Okay,I had to push him on this great statement,so asked 'Different? How?' and his reply was
  ' You look sort of smoother,like your skin has been lifted,the sagginess has gone'!!!

 Woohooooooo!I look LIFTED my skins been LIFTED....hold on,did he say Sagginess?!?........
I don't care!!! LIFTED and SMOOTHER-I was and still am on cloud nine!!!

I feel that my skin looks better,it feels smoother and my open pores are not noticeable around my nose,I think that my skin looks brighter and I can definitely state that I will never have to buy a skin serum again,as my skin  looks better after four weeks with the ReAura than it has done in years with use of many different skin serums and creams.......I look LIFTED! Ha!
 So,that's me for now.....Lifted and feeling fab after four weeks, I will of course keep you updated and do check out my YouTube video if you can HERE. Please get in touch if theres' anything I can help answer for you......Love Lifted Lila xxx

To find out more about the ReAura visit Philips Here
To buy the ReAura visit SpaceNK Here

Philips ReAura YouTube Video Review

Hi guys,This evening I have completed my fourth ReAura Treatment and videoed myself whilst doing it!!!
I have uploaded the video to YouTube HERE and am feeling a little nervous about it.
 I have not done a video review of any description before so its a little bit amateur (to say the least!) and I have appeared on the worldwide web with NO MAKE-UP ON!!!! This is either very brave or very stupid of me........I hope I get some feedback on that as I'm not sure if anybody is benefiting from My ReAura witterings or not?? I do hope that the video is of use someone,please let me know-Love Lila xx